Protective cases and methods for making the same

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to durable yet lightweight cases for objects. When in use, the cases of the present invention are wrapped around the outer perimeter of an object. The top sides and the bottom sides of the cases meet or overlap when the cases are wrapped around the outer perimeter of an object and can be secured to one another with a fastening device. The right and left sides of the cases can then be drawn taut around the remaining sides (i.e. the right and the left side) of the object with drawstrings. When not in use, the cases can be stacked in flat sheets or can be rolled up and stored in an alternatively space-efficient manner.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to easily-loaded protective cases andrelated methods that can be stored when not in use in a space-efficientmanner.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Objects such as, without limitation drums, kegs, barrels, tanks(including without limitation scuba tanks, oxygen tanks, helium tanks,nitrogen tanks, etc.) and boxes are frequently transported from oneplace to another. In many circumstances, it is desirable to protect theobject from damage during transport. Many musicians, for example, travelfrom venue to venue to play their drums. In order to protect their drumsfrom physical damage during travel, the musicians usually place them insome type of protective case. Protective cases may also protect objectsfrom more than physical damage. For example, keg beer is unpasteurizedand thus it is important to keep the keg beer cold to prevent spoilage.In other cases, a protective case is used to protect not only the itemsbeing transported, but also the environment the objects come intocontact with during transport. This circumstance may be the case whentransporting objects with rigid surfaces, such as tanks. As a finalexample, some objects, such as cardboard boxes can benefit fromprotective cases that provide a waterproof shell. Thus, a variety ofobjects can benefit in a variety of different ways from protectivecases.

Over the years, various protective cases have been developed. Thesepreviously-developed cases, however, suffer from various drawbacks. Byway of example, there are two types of conventionally-used protectivecases for drums: road cases and soft bags. Road cases are heavyhard-shelled drum-shaped containers with lids and a thick foam lining.Soft bags are essentially padded, enclosed cloth cylinders with a zipperextending around the circumference. Both of these devices function toadequately pad and protect drums in transit, but they also take up alarge volume of space when not in use.

U.S. Pat. No. 501,318 shows a typical road case. The case consists of atwo part hard shell which encloses a drum. These cases, unlike thepresent invention, are difficult to transport due to their size andweight and cannot be conveniently stored in a small area.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,084,719 relates to a soft bag with a modified hard topand bottom. It is often difficult to place a drum in a soft bag such asthat described in the '719 patent due to these bags' lack of structure.Also, soft bags cannot be rolled or conveniently stored.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,025,549 relates to an inclement weather drum case whichfunctions to enclose and protect a drum while not significantly reducingthe playability of the drum. This drum case, unlike the presentinvention, encases the entire drum, thus adding additional weight. Italso cannot be rolled and conveniently stored when not in use.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,723,906 relates to discloses a drum case that addressesmany of the aforementioned problems, but is still subject to unfavorabledrawbacks. For example, the drum case described in the '906 patentrequires the inclusion of sheaths containing drawstrings made of atleast three cords. This sheath/cord configuration can be cumbersome touse when encasing, for example, a large drum.

Protective devices for kegs also face several limitations. Keg Coat, forexample, is a soft keg case manufactured by Kegger Industries (Manheim,Pa.). The case has only one opening on the top, and therefore, placing akeg into the case requires lifting the keg (which could weigh up to 160pounds) several feet off the ground. The case also cannot be easilyrolled or conveniently stored when not in use.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,612,742 relates to a keg case with harnessinstallations. The case is difficult to use, however, due to itsrigidity, weight and size. The case also requires its users to firstturn a keg upside down for case fitting before the whole assembly can beturned back, upside up, for use. It also takes up a large volume ofspace when not in use.

Based on the foregoing, a need exists for a soft case that islightweight, easy to load an object into, easily-transported andconveniently-stored. The present invention addresses these needs, amongothers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides protective cases for objects. The casesare preferably lightweight, easy to load objects into,easily-transported and conveniently-stored when not in use. The cases ofthe present invention may specifically comprise flexible rectangularpieces of material each having a front side, a back side, a top side, abottom side, a right side and a left side. Drawstrings can be positionedalong the right side and the left side of the cases. When in use, thecases of the present invention can be laid on a relatively flat surfacewith the back side of the case facing up. The object can then be placedor rolled onto the back side of the case. Once an object is positionedover a portion of the back side of the case, the top side and the bottomside of the case can be brought together around the outer perimeter ofthe object. Once brought together in this manner, the top side and thebottom side are attached to each other with a fastening device. When thetop side and the bottom side meet and are fastened in the describedmanner, the right side and the left side of the cases of the presentinvention extend out past the respective right and left sides of theencased object. The drawstrings along the right and left sides of thecase are pulled, so that the right and left sides of the case are drawntoward the center of the right side and the center of the left side ofthe encased object respectively, thus completing the formation of aprotective case. The described invention thus provides a protective casethat is easy to load objects into, adjustable, fitting a variety ofdifferently-sized objects, and easily storable in a space-efficientmanner when not in use. Specifically, when not in use, the cases of thepresent invention can be piled into a relatively flat rectangular stack.Alternatively, one or more of the cases can be stacked and rolledtogether into a single unit. Both methods provide convenient andspace-efficient methods of storage.

Specifically, one embodiment of the cases of the present inventioncomprises a rectangular flexible material having a front side, a backside, a top side, a bottom side, a right side, a left side, a drawstringassociated with the right side, and a drawstring associated with theleft side, each drawstring comprising one cord, wherein when the casesurrounds an object, the back side faces towards the object, the frontside faces away from the object, the top side and the bottom side meetaround the outer perimeter of the object to be encased and are fastenedtogether with a fastening device and wherein when the top side and thebottom side meet, the right side of the case extends beyond the rightside of the object and the left side of the case extends beyond the leftside of the object and wherein the drawstrings are used to pull theright side of the case and the left side of the case down over theobject's right side and left side respectively towards the center of theobject's right side and the center of the object's left siderespectively.

In another embodiment of the cases of the present invention, the casefurther comprises one or more loops along the right side of the casewherein the drawstring associated with the right side of the case isthreaded through the loops.

In another embodiment of the cases of the present invention, the casecomprises one or more loops along the right side of the case wherein thedrawstring associated with the right side of the case is threadedthrough the loops and further comprises one or more loops along the leftside of the case wherein the drawstring associated with the left side ofthe case is threaded through the loops.

In another embodiment of the cases of the present invention, the loopsare affixed to the right side of the case and the left side of the caserespectively or are a continuous portion of the right side of the caseand the left side of the case respectively.

In another embodiment of the cases of the present invention, the loopsare disposed along the right side of the case and the left side of thecase respectively along the back side of the case, and wherein one endof each drawstring is threaded from the back side to the front side ofthe case through a hole in the case.

In another embodiment of the cases of the present invention, thedrawstrings are threaded through the loops and affixed to at least oneloop located about midway between the top side and the bottom side.

In another embodiment of the cases of the present invention, when thetop side and the bottom side meet, the top side overlaps the bottomside. In another embodiment of the cases of the present invention, thefastening device is selected from the group consisting of a hook andloop fastener, a magnetic fastener, one or more buttons, one or moresnaps, one or more peg and hole fasteners, one or more peg and loopfasteners and tying mechanisms.

In another embodiment of the cases of the present invention, the casecomprises an outer layer, a middle layer and an inner layer.

In another embodiment of the cases of the present invention, the objectis selected from one or more the group consisting of a drum, a barrel, akeg, a tank and a box.

The present invention also includes methods. In one embodiment of themethods of the present invention, the method comprises providing a casecomprising a rectangular flexible material having a front side, a backside, a top side, a bottom side, a right side, a left side, a drawstringassociated with the right side, and a drawstring associated with theleft side, each drawstring comprising one cord, wherein when the casesurrounds an object, the back side of the case faces towards the object,the front side faces away from the object, the top side and the bottomside meet around the outer perimeter of the object to be encased and arefastened together with a fastening device and wherein when the top sideand the bottom side meet, the right side of the case extends beyond theright side of the object and the left side of the case extends beyondthe left side of the object and wherein the drawstrings are used to pullthe right side of the case and the left side of the case down over theobject's right side and left side respectively towards the center of theobject's right side and the center of the object's left siderespectively.

In another embodiment of the methods of the present invention, the casefurther comprises one or more loops along the right side of the casewherein the drawstring associated with the right side of the case isthreaded through the loops.

In another embodiment of the methods of the present invention, the casecomprises one or more loops along the right side of the case wherein thedrawstring associated with the right side of the case is threadedthrough the loops and further comprises one or more loops along the leftside of the case wherein the drawstring associated with the left side ofthe case is threaded through the loops.

In another embodiment of the methods of the present invention, the loopsare affixed to the right side of the case and the left side of the caseor are a continuous portion of the right side of the case and the leftside of the case.

In another embodiment of the methods of the present invention, the loopsare disposed along the right side of the case and the left side of thecase along the back side of the case, and wherein one end of eachdrawstring is threaded from the back side to the front side of the casethrough a hole in the case.

In another embodiment of the methods of the present invention, thedrawstrings are threaded through the loops and affixed to at least oneloop located about midway between the top side and the bottom side.

In another embodiment of the methods of the present invention, when thetop side and the bottom side meet, the top side overlaps the bottomside. In another embodiment of the methods of the present invention, thefastening device is selected from the group consisting of a hook andloop fastener, a magnetic fastener, one or more buttons, one or moresnaps, one or more peg and hole fasteners, one or more peg and loopfasteners and tying mechanisms.

In another embodiment of the methods of the present invention, theprovided case comprises an outer layer, a middle layer and an innerlayer.

In another embodiment of the methods of the present invention, theobject to be encased is selected from one or more the group consistingof a drum, a barrel, a keg, a tank and a box.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a case of the presentinvention partially encasing a drum.

FIG. 2 is an environmental, perspective view of another embodiment of acase of the present invention encasing a drum.

FIG. 3 is an environmental, perspective view of another embodiment of acase of the present invention encasing a keg.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a case of thepresent invention rolled for storage.

FIG. 5 is a rear side view of another embodiment of a case of thepresent invention, with a cut away portion exposing three layers of thecasing.

FIG. 6 a is a cross section view of another embodiment of a case of thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 b is an alternative cross section view of another embodiment of acase of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a front side view of a case of another embodiment of a case ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to theparticular embodiments, materials, and examples described herein, asthese may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology usedherein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodimentsonly, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, thesingular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural reference unlessthe context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a referenceto “a case” or “a box” is a reference to one or more cases or boxes andincludes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art and soforth.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical terms used herein have the samemeanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art towhich this invention belongs. Specific methods, devices, and materialsare described, although any methods and materials similar or equivalentto those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of thepresent invention.

The protective cases of the present invention can be used to transport avariety of different objects. Depending on the object to be transported,the protective cases of the present invention can be adapted to providevarious advantageous features. For example, and as will be describedmore fully infra, when the transported object should be protected fromscratching or denting, the protective cases of the present invention canprovide one or more layers of an appropriately-weighted material thatcan adequately protect the object. For example, when it is desirable tomaintain the transported object (or its contents) within a particulartemperature range, the protective cases of the present invention caninclude insulation layers and/or can include chill or heating packs. Forexample, when a transported object need not be protected from scratchingor denting, but should be kept dry, the protective cases of the presentinvention can include a waterproof or water-resistant shell. Theprotective cases of the present invention also can adopt combinations ofthese features and others to achieve desired protection characteristics.Further, while these specific examples of protection characteristics areprovided, it is to be understood that the protective cases of thepresent invention can be modified to encase any object needing encasingduring transport, storage or use.

The present invention provides cases and methods for making caseswherein in a specific embodiment the case comprises a rectangularflexible material having a front side, a back side, a top side, a bottomside, a right side, a left side, a drawstring associated with the rightside, and a drawstring associated with the left side, each drawstringcomprising one cord, wherein when the case surrounds an object, the backside faces towards the object, the front side faces away from theobject, the top side and the bottom side meet around the outer perimeterof the object to be encased and are fastened together with a fasteningdevice and wherein when the top side and the bottom side meet, the rightside of the case extends beyond the right side of the object and theleft side of the case extends beyond the left side of the object andwherein the drawstrings are used to pull the right side of the case andthe left side of the case down over the object's right side and leftside respectively towards the center of the object's right side and thecenter of the object's left side respectively.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is depicted a case 10 of the presentinvention, for protecting, in this depiction, a drum 50. The case 10 iswrapped around the drum 50 with the back side 36 of the case 10 facingthe shell 52 of the drum 50. When a drum 50 is rolled into a case 10 ofthe present invention, the top side 46 and the bottom side 45 will meetaround the outer circumference of the shell 52 of the drum 50. In oneembodiment, the top side 46 of the case 10 overlaps the bottom side 45of the case 10 when the case 10 is wrapped around the drum 50. Themeeting and/or overlapped ends 45, 46 of the case 10 can be secured toeach other with fastening devices 20, 40. Depending, as appropriatewhether the top side 46 and the bottom side 45 meet or meet and overlap,appropriate fasteners include, without limitation, hook and loop typefasteners, snaps, buttons, magnetic strips, tying mechanisms, peg andhole fasteners, peg and loop fasteners, etc. In one embodiment, wherethe top side 46 and the bottom side 45 meet but do not overlap, eachside can have holes that a tying device can be inserted through to tiethe two sides together. Alternatively, both the top side and the bottomside can have ropes or a similar device extending from their ends thatcan be tied together to fasten the top side and the bottom sidetogether. The top side 46 and the bottom side 45 of the cases of thepresent invention can also include combinations of fastening devices.

Portions 42 and 44 of the left side 90 and the right side 80 of the case10 extend past the rims 100 of the drum 50 and collapse toward thecenters 105 of the drum heads 50 forming a protective layer around thedrum rims 100. In one embodiment, cords or drawstrings 29 are attachedonto the right side 80 and the left side 90 of the case 10 to pull themtaut for a more secured fit around the case 10. FIG. 2 shows a case 10of the present invention wrapped around a drum 50 as described.

FIG. 3 depicts a case 10 of the present invention, for protecting a keg120. The case 10 is wrapped around the keg 120 with the back side 36 ofthe case 10 facing the shell 125 of the keg 120. When a keg 120 isrolled into a case 10 of the present invention, the top side 46 and thebottom side 45 will meet around the outer circumference of the shell 125of the keg 120. In one embodiment, the top side 46 of the case 10overlaps the bottom side 45 of the case 10 when the case 10 is wrappedaround the keg 120. The meeting and/or overlapped ends 45, 46 of thecase 10 can be secured to each other with fastening devices 20, 40.Depending, as appropriate whether the top side 46 and the bottom side 45meet or meet and overlap, appropriate fasteners include, withoutlimitation, hook and loop type fasteners, snaps, buttons, magneticstrips, tying mechanisms, peg and hole fasteners, peg and loopfasteners, etc. In one embodiment, where the top side 46 and the bottomside 45 meet but do not overlap, each side can have holes that a tyingdevice can be inserted through to tie the two sides together.Alternatively, both the top side and the bottom side can have ropes or asimilar device extending from their ends that can be tied together tofasten the top side and the bottom side together. The top side 46 andthe bottom side 45 of the cases of the present invention can alsoinclude combinations of fastening devices. In one embodiment, aprotective case can be adapted to include an insulation layer to aid intemperature maintenance within a desired temperature range. In anotherembodiment, spaces can be provided that allow for the inclusion of chillpacks (or in other applications heat packs) within the protective case.These spaces can be pouches within the material of the protective case,pouch-like bags incorporated in or attached to the protective case(generally applied or sewn onto back side 36 of the protective case) orany type of fastening device than can be used to attach a chill pack ora heat pack to the protective cases of the present invention. It shouldbe understood than when such spaces or fastening devices are provided,they can also be used to attach additional padding to the protectivecases of the present invention.

As seen in FIG. 4, when a case 10 of the present invention is not in useit can be rolled and conveniently stored. In one embodiment, the case isrolled from the top side toward the bottom side with the back sidefacing inward, and the rolled case 10 is secured with fastener 24 on thefront side 37 of the case and another fastener on the back side of thecase, such as fastener 40 (not shown) discussed above. In oneembodiment, multiple cases can be stacked on top of each other androlled up for space-efficient storage. Alternatively, multiple cases canbe stacked into a relatively flat pile when not in use.

FIG. 5 depicts one embodiment of a case of the present invention. Thedepicted embodiment of the case 10 is a flexible, rectangular materialwith a front side 37, back side 36, a top side 46, a bottom side 45, aright side 80 and a left side 90. The depicted embodiment is shown withdimensions of about 54″ by about 12″. It is to be understood, however,that the overall length and width of the case 10 and its associatedparts described herein are for illustration purpose only and will differdepending on the size of the object to be encased.

In one embodiment, the cases 10 of the present invention can compriselayers of material. In a specific embodiment, and as shown as a cutawaysection in FIG. 5, the cases of the present invention can comprise threelayers, an inner layer 43, a middle layer 35 and an outer layer 32. Theinner layer 43 will include the back side 36 of the case. The outerlayer 32 will include the front side 37 of the case. In one embodiment,the inner 43 and/or outer 32 layers can be made of a durable, yetlightweight material that resists tears and abrasions during use. Oneexample of such a material is a 1000 denier durable fabric, such as anair textured, high tenacity nylon sold under the trade name CORDURA®(INVISTA, Wichita, Kans.). In another embodiment of the drum cases ofthe present invention, the inner layer 43 is made of a lighter weightmaterial than the outer layer 32. One non-limiting example of such alightweight material is a 200 denier nylon Oxford fabric. The middlelayer 35 can be a flexible and lightweight foam or padding material forproviding extra protection and/or thermo-isolation to the content of thecase. In one embodiment, the foam or padding material is about 3/16″thick. The middle layer 35 can also comprise one or more ice or hotpacks for keeping the content of the case cold or hot, such as FREEZEZE™Gel Ice Pack Refrigerants or REACTRO™ Reusable Hot Gel Packs from ROSHGOCorp (Alpharetta, Ga.). The ice or hot packs can be chilled or heated upto the desired temperature prior to their use. It is to be understoodthat the three layers shown herein are for illustration only and thedrum cases of the present invention can comprise any numbers of layersthat would serve the intended purposes of the present invention.Alternatively, in some embodiments, the protective cases of the presentinvention may not comprise layers but may consist entirely of alightweight shell. In some embodiments of the present invention, thelightweight shell can be waterproof or water-resistant.

As also shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of web loops 31 can be positioned(in one embodiment about 3″ to about 6″ apart, but the spacing can varydepending on the size of the object to be encased) along the left side90 and the right side 80 of the case 10. The loops 31 (in one embodimentabout ¾″ in width) can comprise a durable and lightweight material, andin another embodiment the loops 31 are made of the same material as theinner 43 and/or outer layer 32. A drawstring (in one embodimentcomprising a cord 29) can be threaded through the plurality of loops 31along each of the left side 90 and the right side 80 of the case. In oneembodiment, the midsection 55 of the cord 29 can be anchored to itscorresponding loop(s) 31 with stitching 27. When such anchoring occurs,however, the method of anchoring is not critical, and the cord can be,without limitation, glued to the loop(s), heat-sealed, be continuousextensions of a layer, etc. In one embodiment the cord 29 can beconstructed of an inelastic material, although elastic cords are alsowithin the scope of the invention. Holes 26 can also be provided nearthe opposing ends of the plurality of loops 31 so that each end 56 ofthe cords 29 can be looped from the inner layer 43 to the outer layer 32through the holes 26. These holes 26 can be, without limitation, openholes, slits in the material, or thin openings. The edges of the holes26, no matter what form they adopt, can be reinforced with grommets,heavy stitching, heat sealing, etc., in order to prevent fraying of thecase. A cord lock device also can be included. In one embodiment thecord lock can be positioned on the portions of the cord 29 extending onthe side of the outer layer 32. Grommet/cord lock combinations also canbe used. A hand grip 25 can be attached to the ends of the cord 29 toprevent the cord from slipping through cord lock 30. When the case 10 iswrapped around an object, for example, the case 10 forms a cylinder withthe cord locks 30 about 180° from the drawstring anchor stitching 27. Inthis manner each cord locks 30 needs to only provide tension on aportion of the circumference of the case 10, making it easier to pullthe case 10 taut against the rims of the drum 50. In one embodiment ofthe invention, a combination grommet/cord lock device, such as SurMountCordloc of ITWNexus (Des Plaines, Ill.), can be used.

FIG. 6 a provides a cross sectional view of one embodiment of a case 10of the present invention. One end of a loop 31 is interposed between theouter layer 32 and the inner layer 43, and is anchored with stitching 38across a full cross section of the case 10. The other end of the loop 31is anchored onto the exterior surface of inner layer 43 with stitching39 that stitches the inner layer 43 with the loop 31. A middle layer 35is also depicted. In this depicted embodiment, a drawstring 29 is foundwithin the loop 31.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 6 b. In thisexample, a portion of the outer layer 32 extends to the back side 36 ofthe case 10 and encases both the middle layer 35 and part of inner layer43. Both ends 61, 62 of a loop 31 are anchored to the end of the portionof outer layer 32 at the back side 36 of the case 10 with stitching 39,which also stitches the end of the portion of outer layer 32 onto theexterior surface of inner layer 43. Loop 31 is anchored onto the portionof the outer layer 32 at the back side of the case 10 with stitching 38,which stitches full cross section of the case 10. In this depictedembodiment, a drawstring 27 is found within the loop 31.

FIG. 7 depicts a front side view of a protective case 10 of the presentinvention. This front side 37 can comprise a strap handle 22 (in oneembodiment about 2″ by about 13″), two D-shaped rings 33, a transparentplastic pocket 34, two pieces of a fastener in parallel 24 (in oneembodiment about 1″ by about 12″ each) and a piece of a fastener 20 (inone embodiment about 4″ in width) that can extend from the right side 80to the left side 90 of the case, all of which can be sewn on the frontside 37 or attached by other appropriate means. In one embodiment, thefastener 20 can be a hook-and-loop fastening material, such as a sew-onfastening device from Velcro® (Manchester, N.H.). In another embodiment,the fastener can be a magnetic snap fastener as shown in U.S. Pat. No.5,722,126. In another embodiment, the fastener can be, withoutlimitation, a plurality of buttons or snaps. A conventional nylon webcarry strap may be attached to the D-shaped rings 33 by snap hooks orother appropriate fastening devices and the case 10 can be carried usingthe strap. The case 10 can also be transported using the nylon webbingstrap 22 as a handle. Identification cards or other materials may beinserted into the transparent pocket 34 for display purposes. FIG. 6also depicts a grommet/cord lock combination device 200 that can beused. In one embodiment the grommet/cord lock combination can be,without limitation, a SurMount Cordloc Single by ITW Nexus (Des Plaines,Ill.).

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to theexemplary embodiments described above, but encompasses any and allembodiments within the scope of the following claims.

1. A case for an object having an outer perimeter, a left side and aright side, wherein said case comprises a rectangular flexible materialhaving a front side, a back side, a top side, a bottom side, a rightside, a left side, a drawstring associated with said right side, and adrawstring associated with said left side, each said drawstringcomprising one cord, wherein when said case surrounds said object saidback side faces towards said object, said front side faces away fromsaid object, said top side and said bottom side meet around the outerperimeter of said object and are fastened together with a fasteningdevice and wherein when said top side and said bottom side meet, saidright side of said case extends beyond said right side of said objectand said left side of said case extends beyond said left side of saidobject and wherein said drawstrings are used to pull said right side ofsaid case and said left side of said case down over said right side andsaid left side of said object toward the center of said object's rightside and the center of said object's left side respectively.
 2. The caseof claim 1, further comprising one or more loops along said right sideof said case wherein said drawstring associated with said right side ofsaid case is threaded through said loops.
 3. The case of claim 2,further comprising one or more loops along said left side of said casewherein said drawstring associated with said left side of said case isthreaded through said loops.
 4. The case of claim 3, wherein said loopsare affixed to said right side of said case and said left side of saidcase respectively or are a continuous portion of said right side of saidcase and said left side of said case respectively.
 5. The case of claim3, wherein said loops are disposed along said right side of said caseand said left side of said case respectively along said back side ofsaid case, and wherein one end of each drawstring is threaded from theback side to the front side of said case through a hole in said case. 6.The case of claim 5, wherein said drawstrings are threaded through saidloops and affixed to at least one loop located about midway between saidtop side and said bottom side.
 7. The case of claim 1, wherein when saidtop side and said bottom side meet, said top side overlaps said bottomside.
 8. The case of claim 1, wherein said fastening device is selectedfrom one or more of the group consisting of a hook and loop fastener, amagnetic fastener, one or more buttons, one or more snaps, one or morepeg and hole fasteners, one or more peg and loop fasteners and tyingmechanisms.
 9. The case of claim 1, wherein said case comprises an outerlayer, a middle layer and an inner layer.
 10. The case of claim 1,wherein said object is selected from the group consisting of a drum, abarrel, a keg, a tank and a box.
 11. A method for making a case for anobject having an outer perimeter, a right side and a left side, whereinsaid method comprises providing a rectangular flexible material having afront side, a back side, a top side, a bottom side, a right side, a leftside, a drawstring associated with said right side of said case, and adrawstring associated with said left side of said case, each saiddrawstring comprising one cord, wherein when said case surrounds saidobject said back side faces towards said object, said front side facesaway from said object, said top side and said bottom side meet aroundthe circumference of said outer perimeter of said object and arefastened together with a fastening device and wherein when said top sideand said bottom side meet, said right side of said case extends beyondsaid right side of said object and said left side of said case extendsbeyond said left side of said object and wherein said drawstrings areused to pull said right side of said case and said left side of saidcase down over said right side of said object and said left side of saidobject toward the center of said object's right side and the center ofsaid object's left side respectively.
 12. The method of claim 11,further comprising one or more loops along said right side of said casewherein said drawstring associated with said right side of said case isthreaded through said loops.
 13. The method of claim 12, furthercomprising one or more loops along said left side of said case whereinsaid drawstring associated with said left side of said case is threadedthrough said loops.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein said loops areaffixed to said right side of said case and said left side of said caserespectively or are a continuous portion of said right side of said caseand said left side of said case respectively.
 15. The method of claim13, wherein said loops are disposed along said right side of said caseand said left side of said case respectively along said back side ofsaid case, and wherein one end of each drawstring is threaded from theback side to the front side of said case through a hole in said case.16. The method of claim 15, wherein said drawstrings are threadedthrough said loops and affixed to at least one loop located about midwaybetween said top side and said bottom side.
 17. The method of claim 11,wherein when said top side and said bottom side meet, said top sideoverlaps said bottom side.
 18. The method of claim 11, wherein saidfastening device is selected from one or more of the group consisting ofa hook and loop fastener, a magnetic fastener, one or more buttons, oneor more snaps, one or more peg and hole fasteners, peg and loopfasteners and tying mechanisms.
 19. The method of claim 11, wherein saidcase comprises: an outer layer, a middle layer and an inner layer. 20.The method of claim 11, wherein said object is selected from the groupconsisting of a drum, a barrel, a keg, a tank and a box.